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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs July 3 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Digital India Programme Marks 11 Years of Completion, Increases Focus on AI and Semiconductor Manufacturing
On July 1 2026, the Digital India programme, a flagship initiative of the Government of India (GoI) aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, completed 11 years.

• The programme was launched by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on July 1, 2015 and has now expanded its focus to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductor manufacturing.

About Digital India:
Ministry: The Digital India programme is implemented by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Key Vision: The three visions of the programme were:

• To provide every citizen with accessible, reliable, and secure digital infrastructure.
• To ensure seamless, integrated, and on-demand delivery of government services through digital platforms.
• To promote digital literacy, universal access to digital resources, and citizen participation in governance.

Progress: Internet connections have grown around four times than earlier, and the cost of mobile data has fallen from Rs 269 per GigaByte (GB) to Rs 8–10, making digital access among the most affordable in the world.

Ministry of Tourism Signs MoU with Google India to Boost Digital Tourism 
In June 2026, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google India in New Delhi, Delhi to strengthen digital promotion of India’s tourism destinations using Artificial Intelligence (AI), data-driven insights

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, MoT to enhance global visibility of India’s tourism.

Highlights of the MoU:
Objective:  The initiative leverages analytics, and digital platforms to enhance India’s cultural heritage and diverse travel experiences, positioning the country as a global tourism hub showcasing its culture, nature, spirituality, wellness, and adventure offerings.
Features: The partnership includes digital tourism promotion, knowledge sharing, capacity building, AI-based engagement tools, campaign optimisation, and use of Google’s digital ecosystem for enhanced outreach.
Nature of Agreement: The MoU is non-commercial, non-binding, and non-exclusive with no financial commitment from either party, focusing on collaborative knowledge and technology sharing under the Incredible India initiative.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Narendra Modi Visit to Seychelles From June 27 to 29, 2026
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi undertook a 3-day official visit to Seychelles from June 27 to 29, 2026, at the invitation of Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of Seychelles.
Key Highlights of Visit:
Bilateral Meeting: PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with  Dr. Patrick Herminie,  President of Seychelles, at the State House in Victoria, Mahe, during which discussed ways to  strengthen cooperation in health, education, capacity building, digital transformation, Renewable Energy (RE), maritime security, among others.
Golden Jubilee Celebrations: During his visit, PM Modi  attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the National Day of Seychelles, marking the 50 years of the island nation’s independence, as the Guest of Honour, in Victoria, Mahe.
Honour: PM Narendra Modi was honoured with the honorary “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” title, the highest distinction of Seychelles for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development, presented by Seychelles President Patrick Herminie.
Key MoUs:  During PM Modi’s visit, India and Seychelles signed a total of 9 key Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) covering sectors like: defence, healthcare, digital payments, agriculture, maritime cooperation, space and infrastructure.
Key Outcomes: Rs 1,250 crore  umbrella Line of Credit (LoC) to support African island nation’s development projects;  handing over Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV PS) LESPWAR, 6 ambulances, 10 utility vehicles and 5 Laser Radical Boats to Seychelles, release of  joint commemorative logo marking 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles and others.

BANKING & FINANCE

BoB Partners with Japan’s Mizuho Bank to Enhance Collaboration in M&A Financing
In July 2026, Bank of Baroda (BoB), one of India’s leading Public Sector Bank (PSB), entered into a strategic partnership with Mizuho Bank the banking arm of Japan’s Mizuho Financial Group to enhance collaboration across Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) financing and related services.
Key Details of MoU:
Key Role: The collaboration will combine Mizuho’s extensive global network, cross-border capabilities and expertise in structured finance with BoB’s strong domestic presence, deep corporate relationships in India.
Areas of Collaboration: As part of the partnership, both banks will jointly work on acquisition finance, including joint origination, structuring, co-underwriting and syndication.
Other Focus Areas: In addition, both banks will collaborate on M&A advisory, risk distribution through sub-participation and secondary markets, foreign exchange, and interest rate hedging, escrow services, and the exchanges of best in acquisition finance.

NPCI Partners with HSBC India, JP Morgan to boost cross-border UPI payments 
In July 2026, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) collaborated with HSBC India, JP Morgan Payments to enable real-time Foreign Exchange (FX) settlement for cross-border Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.

• The initiative aims to enhance the international payment experience for Indian users by improving transparency, speed, and efficiency in currency conversion and settlement.

Key Details:
Collaboration with HSBC: Under the collaboration, HSBC India will act as the banking partner, facilitating real-time FX rates via direct Application Programme Interface (API) integration.
Collaboration with JP Morgan: JP Morgan Payments, that will support real-time FX conversion and settlement across multiple currencies.

• The collaboration will combine UPI’s growing global acceptance with foreign capabilities of JP Morgan, to streamline international digital transactions and enhance settlement efficiency across global markets.

Global Presence of UPI: At present, UPI is operating in 9 countries i.e. Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, France, Sri Lanka, Qatar, and Cambodia, enabling Indian travellers to make Quick Response (QR) code-based payments in Indian Rupee (INR).

UPI Growth: Globally, UPI transaction volumes nearly doubled to 1.48 million in Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) from 0.75 million (FY25).

• Also, UPI transactions value reached Rs 330.43 crore in FY26 over Rs 258.53 crore in FY25.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

HP Secures 8 New GI Tags; Total GI Products Rised to 17 
In July 2026, Himachal Pradesh (HP) secured Eight new Geographical Indication (GI) registrations, taking the total number of GI-tagged products in the state from 9 to 17. The registrations were facilitated by the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE). Chief Minister(CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu welcomed the achievement, stating that it strengthens the state’s cultural identity, traditional knowledge, and rural economy.

• The newly registered products include Seabuckthorn (Chharma) of Spiti, Salooni Safed Makka (White Maize) of Chamba, Chamba Metal Art, Sirmauri Loiya, Kinnauri Topi, Kinnauri Apple, Kinnauri Jewellery, and Sepuvadi of Mandi.

Key Details of GI- Tag Products:
Seabuckthorn (Chharma) – Spiti: A nutrient-rich medicinal berry naturally grown in the cold desert region of Spiti. It is widely valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties.
Salooni Safed Makka (White Maize) – Chamba: A traditional white maize variety cultivated in the Salooni region of Chamba. It is known for its distinctive taste and nutritional value.
Chamba Metal Art – Chamba: A traditional handcrafted metal craft produced by skilled artisans of Chamba. It reflects the region’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Sirmauri Loiya – Sirmaur: A traditional handwoven woollen gown worn in Sirmaur. It is an important part of the district’s cultural identity and craftsmanship.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

HDFC Bank Appoints Rajiv Kumar as Part-time Chairman 
In July 2026, HDFC Bank Limited appointed Rajiv Kumar, former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, as its part-time Chairman for a period of 3 years, effective from the date as approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Key Details of Appointment:
Predecessor: He will take over from Keki Mistry, who was appointed as interim chairman of the bank, after Atanu Chakraborty, who voluntarily step-down in March 2026 citing ethical concerns.
Additional Charge: He has also been appointed as an Additional Independent Director of HDFC Bank for a term of four years, effective from June 30, 2026.

RBI Appoints Ravi Shankar as its Executive Director 
In July 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Ravi Shankar as Executive Director (ED), effective from 1 July 2026. He will oversee the Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM).
About Ravi Shankar:
Profile: A central banker and statistician with over three decades of experience at RBI, working across banking statistics, corporate data, government securities markets, settlement systems, debt management and economic analysis.
Previous Role: Shankar was serving as Adviser-In-Charge of the DISM
DSIM: It is responsible for statistical data collection, compilation and analysis at the RBI, covering banking and corporate statistics, surveys, and data used for monetary and financial analysis.
About RBI: Established in 1935 under the RBI Act, 1934, RBI is India’s central bank responsible for monetary policy, currency management and regulation of the financial system.
RBI Structure: RBI has 15 EDs and 1 Chief Financial Officer (CFO) overseeing key departments, with Gunveer Singh recently appointed as ED of the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS).

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI Clears DWS Group’s Nippon Life India AIF Deal and Aditya Birla-led RCB Buyout
In July 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), approved two major acquisition proposals under the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002 in India’s asset management and sports business sectors.

• Approval 1: Germany-based DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (DWS Group) acquisition of 40% Stake in Nippon Life India Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) Management Limited (NIAIF) valued at around Rs.733 crore.
• Approval 2: An Aditya Birla Group-led consortium acquired 100% shareholding in Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), owner of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise from United Spirits Limited (USL)  through an all-cash deal worth Rs.16,660 crore (approximately USD 1.78 billion), one of the largest sports franchise acquisitions globally.

Aditya Birla Group-led consortium: The consortium comprises Big Banyan Holdings (Aditya Birla Group), Bolt IPL Holdings (Bolt Ventures), Times Internet Limited, Times Cricket LLP (The Times Group), ICQ Opportunities RC Holdco Limited (ICONIQ Group), and Asia Investment Topco II Pte. Limited (Blackstone’s BXPE strategy) and other investors.
RCB franchise Appointment: Following the acquisition, Aryaman Vikram Birla, Director, Aditya Birla Group as chairman and Satyan Gajwani, Chairman of The Times of India Group as Vice Chairman.

Kotak Mahindra Bank to Acquire Deutsche Bank’s India Retail and Wealth Business for Rs 281.7 Crore 
In July 2026, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited(KMBL), a Private Sector Bank, announced the acquisition of Deutsche Bank’s India’s retail, private banking, and wealth management business for Rs 281.7 crore.

• The deal is expected to be completed by September 2027, subject to regulatory approvals including the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Key Details of the Acquisition:
Acquired Business Portfolio: The acquisition includes approximately Rs.29,000 crore in loans, Rs.16,000 crore in deposits, and Rs.10,500 crore in assets under management (AUM).

• The business serves around 1.5 lakh customers and employs nearly 1,000 people.

Strategic Expansion: The acquisition will strengthen Kotak Mahindra Bank’s presence in the affluent, private-banking and small and medium enterprise (SME) segments.

• Both banks will work together to ensure uninterrupted customer services during the transition period.

About Deutsche Bank: Deutsche Bank India is the Indian arm of Deutsche Bank (Germany), operating in India for over 45 years with services in corporate, investment, retail, private banking, and wealth management.

BPCL Signs Pact To Acquire 40% Stake in Tiki Tar–Shell India JV 
In July 2026, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a ‘Maharatna’ Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) which work under the administrative control of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), signed a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of 40% equity stake in Tiki Tar and Shell India Private Limited (TTSIPL) for Rs 85 crore.

• The acquisition aimed to strengthen BPCL’s presence in the bitumen and road infrastructure materials segment.

Key Details of Acquisition:
Regulatory Approval: The acquisition was approved by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) which works under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), and is expected to be completed within 90 days.
Acquisition process: As per the agreement, BPCL will acquire proposed stakes in TTSIPL (target company) from Shell Overseas Investments B.V.
Key Outcome: Once the transaction completed, BPCL will become the equal Joint Venture (JV) partner in TTSIPL, alongside the existing shareholder.
About TTSIPL: TTSIPL, incorporated in October 2019, manufactures wide range of bitumen-based products (such as modified bitumen, emulsions)used in road construction, and maintenance.

ENVIRONMENT

MoEFCC Launches ATS 4.0; ZSI Releases Animal & Plant Discoveries (2025) on 111th Foundation Day  
On June 30 2026, The Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) inaugurated the three-day 4th Animal Taxonomy Summit (ATS 4.0) – June 30-July 2, 2026, marking the 111th Foundation Day of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at Dhano Dhanyo Auditorium, Kolkata, West Bengal (WB) with 709 new faunal records documented.

• The summit showcased India’s biodiversity research, promoted wildlife conservation, and featured the release of the annual publications Animal Discoveries–2025 and Plant Discoveries–2025.

About Animal Taxonomy Summit 2026:
Key Activities: Nationwide 111-Hours Hackathon on Traditional Knowledge for Biodiversity; 16 regional competitions; national semi-finals in Dehradun; grand finale at Kolkata auditorium.
Digital Tools: Fauna of India Checklist Version 3.0 and PaleoIndia Portal were released.
Overview: ZSI and Botanical Survey of India (BSI) jointly released the Animal Discoveries–2025 documents India’s latest faunal discoveries and biodiversity records.
Overview: The 19th edition of Plant Discoveries–2025 added 353 taxa to India’s floral database.

OBITUARY

Former Mizoram and Puducherry Governor Lt Gen MM Lakhera Passed Away 
In June 2026, Lieutenant General (Retired) Madan Mohan (M.M.) Lakhera, former Governor of Mizoram and former Lieutenant Governor (Lt Gov) of Puducherry, passed away at the age of 88 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

• He was born on 21 October 1937 in Jakhand, United Provinces, British India, now located in Uttarakhand.

About Madan Mohan (M.M.) Lakhera:
Military Career: He was commissioned into the IA from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, in June 1958, and gained extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations.
Military Honours: He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in recognition of his distinguished military service.
Governor Roles: 

• Puducherry: Following his retirement from active military service, Lt Gen M.M. Lakhera was appointed as the Lt Gov and Administrator of Puducherry in 2004.
• Andaman and Nicobar(A&N) Islands: He held additional charge as the 9th Lt Gov of the A&N Islands and administered the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy on 29 November 2005 under Article 239 of the Constitution.
• Mizoram: He also served as the 8th Governor of Mizoram from 25 July 2006 to 2 September 2011.

Eminent Tamil Poet and Sahitya Akademi Award Winner Puviyarasu Passed Away at 96 
In July 2026, renowned Tamil poet, translator, screenwriter, and actor Puviyarasu passed away at the age of 96 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN). He was born in 1930 in Lingamanayakkan Puthur, Udumalpet (Coimbatore district, TN).
About Puviyarasu:
Profile:  Born as Jagannathan, he later took the name Puviyarasu, worked as a Tamil teacher, and began publishing poetry in 1952. He was a founding member of the Vaanampaadi movement, promoting Tamil free verse poetry and modern literary expression.
Literary Contributions: Authored over 120 books including poetry and translations. Translated works of Khalil Gibran, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Osho, and Rabindranath Tagore, bringing global literature to Tamil readers.
Awards and Recognition: Two-time Sahitya Akademi Award winner – 2007 for Puratchikaran (Tamil translation of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s The Revolutionary)  and 2010 for Kaiyoppam (Signature). Recognised for excellence in both poetry and translation.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Goods and Services Tax Day 2026 – July 1
Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day is annually observed across India on 1 July to commemorate the rollout of the GST regime, a unified indirect tax system on the supply of goods and services, which came into effect on 1 July 2017.
Background:
Launch: GST was implemented in India on 1 July 2017. On 30 June 2018, the Government of India (GoI) declared 1 July as the annual GST Day.
First GST Day: The first GST Day was observed on 1 July 2018, marking the completion of one year of India’s landmark indirect tax reform.
2026 Event: To mark nine years of the GST, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs(CBIC) organised a special event under the theme “सुगम कर व्यवस्था, सशक्त भारत”, in New Delhi(Delhi), on 1 July 2026.
GST Expansion & Revenue Growth: The number of GST taxpayers rose from 66.5 lakh in 2017 to 1.65 crore as of May 2026.

• Gross GST collections increased from around Rs.7.4 lakh crore in 2017–18 to approximately Rs.13.76 lakh crore in 2021–22 and Rs.22.27 lakh crore in 2025–26.

World Sports Journalists Day 2026 – July 2 
World Sports Journalists Day is observed annually across the globe on 2 July to recognise the contributions of sports journalists in promoting sports, ensuring fair reporting, and connecting people with sporting events worldwide.

• The day commemorates the establishment of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) on 2 July 1924.

Background:  
Establishment: World Sports Journalists Day was established by the AIPS in 1994 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of its founding.
First Observance: The first World Sports Journalists Day was observed on 2 July 1994.

STATE NEWS

Biswanath Sinha Takes Charge as Kerala Chief Secretary 
In July 2026, Biswanath Sinha, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, assumed charge as the Chief Secretary(CS) of Kerala. His tenure will extend until September 2028.

• He succeeded Dr A. Jayathilak, a 1991-batch IAS officer, who retired from service on 30 June 2026.

About Biswanath Sinha:
Career: With over three decades of administrative experience, he has handled internal security, police administration, vigilance and disaster-management matters.
Key Roles: He served as District Collector of Kottayam, Wayanad, and Kozhikode, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rebuild Kerala Initiative, and held key roles in Finance, Planning & Economic Affairs, Store Purchase Departments, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.
Previous Role: Before becoming CS, he served as the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home and Vigilance Department, Government of Kerala.
Role as CS: As Kerala’s senior-most civil servant and administrative head, he will advise the Chief Minister(CM) and Council of Ministers, coordinate government departments, oversee policy implementation, and lead the State civil service.

TN Appoints Ex-ISRO Scientist Mylswamy Annadurai as Chairman of CDC for School Education
In June 2026, Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) appointed former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Mylswamy Annadurai as Chairman of Curriculum Design Committee (CDC) for School Education, for a 3-year tenure to lead curriculum modernization for 1.3 crore students across the state.

• The initiative aims to modernise the school curriculum by strengthening science, technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and critical thinking skills while bridging gaps between teaching and learning systems.

About Mylswamy Annadurai:
Career: A distinguished former ISRO scientist (1982–2018) widely known as ‘Moon Man of India’, he contributed to over 60 satellites, led Chandrayaan-1, and played key roles in Chandrayaan-2 & the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), making India the fourth nation to reach Mars orbit in 2014.
Current Role: He currently serves as Vice President (VP) of the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TANSCST).
Awards: Received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2016 in the field of Science and Engineering.

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